Wicked Movie Soundtrack Adopts Original Stage Score

In a notable departure from recent trends, the upcoming Wicked movie will feature a soundtrack comprised exclusively of the original stage show’s songs, foregoing the addition of new tracks for potential Oscar consideration. Universal Pictures announced the tracklist for the film’s soundtrack, confirming it will include all 11 songs from Act One of the stage production.

This decision breaks away from the typical Hollywood practice of inserting original pieces into movie-musicals to qualify for the “Best Original Song” at the Oscars. Examples of this trend include the films Aladdin, Frozen II, and even the 2012 Les Misérables adaptation, which added “Suddenly” to its soundtrack.

However, a preview of the film’s soundtrack on Apple Music reveals commentary from Stephen Schwartz, the original composer’s input, alongside a track titled “Ozdust Duet,” listed under The Wicked Orchestra. This is presumed to be an instrumental number and likely forms part of the original stage show, therefore not a contender for the Best Original Song category.

This approach appears to cater to fervent fans of the musical, who may appreciate a faithful cinematic interpretation without any adjustments to its beloved score. Yet, the upcoming film, split into parts, has caused concerns among audiences due to its runtime equaling the complete stage show, necessitating creative adaptation to fill cinematic space with only half the musical numbers.

Director Jon M. Chu highlighted the team’s efforts to delve deeper into the source material, incorporating elements from both Gregory Maguire‘s novel and L. Frank Baum’s original stories, suggesting that non-musical moments will be expanded to enhance the narrative. “This isn’t half the homework,” Chu stated, indicating the intent to add a unique twist to the storytelling without altering the music.

The soundtrack includes performances by cast members such as Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum, and will be released in conjunction with the movie on November 22, 2024. The tracklist, available for pre-order as of October 9, 2024, features familiar songs including “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”